Thank you for the compliment and the link. I appreciate the former and found the latter to be informative. It seems that you and I are in agreement about most things.
I think the central matter here is individual rights and liberty versus government responsibility. I was vaxxed in January. At the time, it was an optional opportunity and the right decision for my situation. I do NOT expect others to base *their* decision on *my circumstances.* I do not regret my decision, but I am not certain I would make the same decision today. I understand that potential side effects are a possible consequence of that decision.
I also understand the position of governments and large organizations. If we accept the fatality rate of .8% based on your number above, that's still nearly 660,000 people. That's too large a number to walk away from, even if that percentage is accurate. The government has to take some action.
If a child or teen gets COVID and dies (no matter how unlikely we might regard this) because one of their classmates or a teacher spreads the virus, they open themselves up to massive liability. School vaccination mandates are over 100 years old.
That said I am not in favor of nationwide mandates.
If someone chooses not to get the vaccine, that is their right. At the same time, that decision will have consequences that could include the inability to continue their career in the same way or place or the inability send their children to public school. That sucks, but consequences often do.
I think the main thrust of my comment was aimed at the statistics. I am in no way supportive of a national vaccination mandate. Masks, maybe, as they are temporary and non-invasive. I am not a statistics expert, but I have had enough education and experience with statistics to know that it is very easy to both misrepresent data and misinterpret data presented statistically.
Everyone has to choose their own consequences, just as we have to vet our sources. Again it sucks, but that's the world today.